Perennials

A Proven Winner Rose Mallow, Cherry Chocolatte is a very robust perennial that fills a lot of space in the garden. Even varieties that are considered “dwarf” grow at least three feet tall and wide, with standard-sized rose mallow growing 4-6 feet tall and wide. Find a place in your landscape where it will not be crowded by other plants, because it will quickly out compete your other perennials for space within a year or two. It is best to find a permanent spot the first time you plant it to avoid the need for transplanting later. Do not prune it to keep it smaller, as this will remove the flower buds.

Tender Zone 4 perennial so it will need heavy mulch before frost!

It is an outstanding perennial with excellent cold hardiness, vigor, and tolerance of heavy clay soils. Blooming in late spring with a profusion of flower spikes, it re-blooms later in the summer when deadheaded. These plants attract butterflies and are deer/rabbit resistant.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 12 - 36"

• Width: 12 - 36"

Zone: 3

Moss Phlox forms a low mound or cushion smothered by tiny flowers in late spring.  Clip plants immediately after blooming to encourage a dense habit. Wonderful in the sunny rock garden, for edging, or in mixed containers. Requires good drainage. Drought tolerant, once established.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 4 -6"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 2

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

A beautifully variegated mini hosta. Large, ovate leaves have green centers with brightly contrasting yellow margins. The margins are heavily rippled and give the leaves a lightly wavy overall effect. White flowers appear above the foliage in midsummer. A showy specimen for the shade!

Good for ground covers and underplanting for shrubs.

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 4-6"

• Width: 10 - 12"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa

Among the most popular and easy to grow flowering vines, clematis are lovely deciduous vines which get covered with large single flowers. They grow best on a west facing wall, fence or arbour. Cover soil with mulch to keep the roots cool in the heat of the summer.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 6 - 12'

• Width: 36 - 48"

Zone: 3

Duchesse de Nemours is a clear white peony. It’s one of the oldest varieties. It was  bred more than 150 years ago and enjoys enduring popularity.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 24 - 36"

Zone: 2

Image courtesy of:van Noort Bulb co.

Delphiniums are the stars of the early summer border. Plants form a low mound of deeply-cut green leaves, bearing tall spikes of satiny flowers. Removing faded spikes at the base will encourage repeat blooming in fall. 

Cut back hard to encourage fresh foliage. Use a high phosphorous fertilizer each year, in early spring. 

Hot, humid summers can bring on potential mildew. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 12"
  
• Spread: 12"
  

Zone: 3

This is one of several Hybrid Goldenrods that have been developed as commercial cut flowers in Europe. Plants form a bushy upright mound of deep-green leaves, bearing large heads of golden-yellow flowers in late summer. Stems are strong and should not need staking. This is a well-behaved garden plant, worthy of growing in any sunny border. Flowers do not cause allergies. Moist soil will help to prevent powdery mildew. Clumps may be easily divided in early spring. Attractive to butterflies.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 18 - 24"

• Width: 12 - 18"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

The "Stained Glass" Hosta has a fade-free foliage that can tolerate moderate sun, but will need extra watering. This Hosta shows dark green leaf margins, golden centres, and deep cut veins that can resemble the look of stained glass.

Fragrant, lavender blooms shoot up midseason and attract hummingbirds. 

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 12 - 16"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

A Proven Winner Rose Mallow, Berry Awesome is a very robust perennial that fills a lot of space in the garden. Find a place in your landscape where it will not be crowded by other plants, because it will quickly out compete your other perennials for space within a year or two. 

Do not prune it to keep it smaller, as this will remove the flower buds. Tender Zone 4 perennial so it will need heavy mulch before frost!

May Night Salvia  is an outstanding perennial with excellent cold hardiness, vigor, and tolerance of heavy clay soils. Blooming in late spring with a profusion of flower spikes, it re-blooms later in the summer when deadheaded. These plants attract butterflies and are deer/rabbit resistant.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 12 - 36"

• Width: 12 - 36"

Zone: 3

Photos and Data Courtesy of Ball Seed

Delphiniums are the stars of the early summer border. Plants form a low mound of deeply-cut green leaves, bearing mounds of satiny flowers. Removing faded blooms at the base will encourage repeat blooming in fall. 

Cut back hard to encourage fresh foliage. Use a high phosphorous fertilizer each year, in early spring. 

Hot, humid summers can bring on potential mildew. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 12"
  
• Spread: 12"
  

Zone: 3

Creeping types are low-growing with a vine-like habit and make a great ground cover or in between stepping stones

Once established flowers bloom in late spring and early summer. They are also deer and rabbit resistant. 

*Susceptible to root rot in wet, soggy soil. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 3"

• Width: 12"
• Zone  3

photo courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

Delphiniums are the stars of the early summer border. Plants form a low mound of deeply-cut green leaves, bearing tall spikes of satiny flowers. Removing faded spikes at the base will encourage repeat blooming in fall. 

Cut back hard to encourage fresh foliage. Use a high phosphorous fertilizer each year, in early spring. 

Hot, humid summers can bring on potential mildew. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 36"
  
• Spread: 24"
  

Zone: 3

Aster 'Alert" is a compact mounding selection of our native New England aster.  During spring and summer, plants are clothed in gray-green leaves.  In fall foliage disappears beneath a starry mantle of crimson daisies. Plants are tough and adaptable to moist sunny sites in a variety of garden situations. This cultivar is known for its compact habit, disease resistance and eye-popping flower display.

Light Requirement: Full to Part Sun

Flowering Season:  Late Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 12"
  
• Spread: 16"
  

Zone: 3a